Football News

Arsenal captaincy: Emery says Aubameyang can “take responsibility” for the Gunners

By Mohamed Moallim

Published: 11:55, 3 November 2019

Arsenal manager Unai Emery believes Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang can handle the responsibility of the club captaincy.

The 30-year-old Gabonese marksman led out the Gunners in their 1-1 home Premier League draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

Arsenal’s next captain? Five key things to know…

  • Arsenal named a five-man leadership group earlier this season.
  • Granit Xhaka was selected by his teammates to take the armband.
  • An unfortunate incident after being subbed off against Crystal Palace saw him miss the following league game against Wolves.
  • Aubameyang was subsequently named captain and scored his 50th goal for the club.
  • Emery is not ruling out naming Aubameyang as permanent skipper.

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Earlier this season the squad voted Granit Xhaka as skipper, with Aubameyang part of a five-man leadership group that includes Mesut Ozil, Alexandre Lacazette and Hector Bellerin.

However, an unfortunate incident that involved Xhaka and a section of Arsenal’s support in their recent 2-2 stalemate with Crystal Palace saw Emery leave him out of the firing line for Wolves’ visit to north London.

In Xhaka’s absence, Aubameyang wore the armband and put the Gunners in front, which meant he became the fastest player to reach 50 goals for the club; but the north London side couldn’t hold on as they once again dropped two vital points.

With the future of Xhaka now in doubt, Emery hasn’t completely ruled out making a change in leadership after being asked if Aubameyang could continue in the role.

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“It could do. I think he can take that responsibility and today he did that,” he told reporters.

“He is one of the captains and I think he can take that responsibility but we are going to analyse the match first and the situation for the next matches and decide.”

Arsenal now occupy fifth place in the Premier League table and doubts in regards to Emery’s ability to lead the club forward have begun to emerge.

Xhaka’s situation has added fuel to the fire, with the Switzerland international’s outburst leading to significant criticism for both the 27-year-old and his manager.